CPI Press Note on 19 July Dharna Ludhiana

Ludhiana:19.07.2011,



The Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India Marxist CPI (M) held a protest dharna at Mini Secretariat against the failure of the govt. to check rise in prices of essential commodities, to roll back hike in prices of diesel, petrol, kerosene & LPG, to control the black money, to check corruption, to check rising crime & use of money and muscle power in politics. Rampant corruption at high places has led to erosion of values in the society. The policies of liberalization with boost to the corporate sector and opening up of the FDI in various sectors has added to this scenario and has led to consumerist culture. As a result the mafia groups including the land mafia, drug mafia and others are gaining strength. Nexus between a section of politicians, bureaucracy and criminals has added to the woes of the common man. Reports of huge amounts of black money of some people of our country in foreign banks are very serious. But ironically the government has not taken these developments seriously. They demanded that immediate steps be taken to bring back black money from the foreign banks. The demand of Lok Pal and bringing all persons under its purview irrespective of the position he/she holds is need of the hour. They demanded immediate stern action against the hoarders & black marketers and end to forward trading to control prices. They said that the Communist parties have suggested time and again to the government to create a reserve fund to check rise in prices of diesel, petrol, LPG and Kerosene but the government has not taken any notice of this. Instead they are out to please the companies by giving them free hand to fix prices of these items by complete decontrol. Taking strong notice of government's decision to allow export of Wheat, various speakers said that this will add to malnutrition of our people. It is astonishing that on one side Prime Minster has shown concern over low growth in agriculture while on the other side instead of providing wheat rotting in the godowns, to the poor people of country, the govt. has decided to lift four years old ban on export of wheat that too when it is not viable at present global prices. It is a hard fact that as per govt. data almost 30% population lives below poverty line who cannot afford two square meals. Even fixing up of poverty line at Rs.19.80 per capita per day is a cruel joke with poor people of our country. They demanded that this decision be taken back and wheat lying waste in the godowns be distributed among the poor through public distribution system. It is high time that the government looks after the interests of the low income groups who should also get a balanced meal and a quality life. Whereas the rich will be able to manage with this the poor and the lower middle income group will have to shelve their resources to cook food, they warned. This added with the job cuts, contractualistaion of jobs with low wages and no job security, the life of people is going to be miserable in time to come. Those who addressed the rally include Com Kartar Singh Bowani-Distrtict Secretary CPI, Com. Sukhwinder Sekhon-Secretary CPI(M), Dr Arun Mitra, Com D P Maur, Com O P Mehta – City Secretary, Com Jatinder Pal singh, Com Jagdish, Com Gulzar Gorea, Com Ramesh Ratan, Com. Vijay Kumar, Com Gurnam Sidhu, Com Gurnam Gill, Com.Mewa Singh Raikot, Com Raghbir Singh Venipal, Com. Shivratan, Com. Amarnath Kumkalan, Com. Amarjeet Singh Mattu, Com Baldev singh Latala
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